Epic outdoor locations, unique local vendors, creative activity ideas, all the reasons exactly why you should be working with a photographer and panner like myself to make your elopement the coolest it can possibly be. These are the top reasons why Colorado is the best place for unique elopements for couples who don’t like to follow the rules.
Couples who are choosing to elope right now are outwardly choosing themselves. And also choosing to take their ‘church’ to the outdoors and into nature. Throwing the rule book our the window and doing it their way. Not giving a fuck what Aunt Sally has to say.
Stunning Outdoor Locations
You absolutely should pick Colorado as the state you are going to elope in. I may be biased as a native, but it is one of the most beautiful states in the country and I find new things to love about it every time I explore new areas. Colorado is home to every outdoor fairytale locations you can think of. We have forests and mountains of coarse, but we also have raging rivers, rocky steep canyons, and dense, mossy trails all the way to a full state park of sand dunes.
The sheer amount of pristine land here that is available to explore and to have your elopement in is wild. If you love water, we have lakes, rivers, waterfalls, marshlands, and any other kind of water feature you can think of. The high elevation alpine lakes are breathtaking and nothing compares. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to many of these lakes that are formed from glacial melt over millions of years. Old growth forests have been scientifically proven to help improve your nervous system health and longevity. We have them by the hectare. There are literally so many reasons why Colorado is the only place to choose to have your elopement.
Creative Themes and Concepts
People who enjoy Colorado usually have outdoor hobbies – I love using those hobbies to build a unique adventure elopement day just for them. Hiking is a popular choice to get you up to high vistas and more isolated, private wide open spaces. Here are some more ideas of activities we can do in Colorado that add character to your elopement day.
Fishing.
Wake up early and head to the Frying Pan river. Waders and sun shirt on, sunrise glowing on the water. Spend a couple of hours soaking in the quiet whispers of the river, catch one or two trout a piece, maybe take one home and fry it up for lunch if you’re lucky. Then later in the day, get your bridal clothes on and head to the ceremony spot high up above the river on the mountain beyond.
SUP or Kayak down the Colorado River.
Hop on your board in the morning with birds chirping and the gentle flow of the river takes you surely ahead. Float in the serenity of the river with your person, stopping to play in the water along the way, enjoying the cool water and the seclusion it seems to provide.
Dive into history in a mountain town.
Take the Georgetown loop railroad up and around the mountains, using the same route all goods and people used to take before the building of I-70. Take some portraits at the top of the pass and with the trains. Ceremony later up above the town.
Get matching or complimentary tattoos.
Almost every mountain town has a little tattoo shop with talented local CO artists. Lest commission one of them to design a pair of tattoos that symbolize your union and your love. Maybe its 2 different outlines of actual local mountain peaks, or each others initials in simple script.
Have a fully Outdoor Camping Elopement at Lake Dillon.
Rent a group campsite for you can only your closest friends, create an entire weekend full of fun activities like paddle boarding, games, dancing, crafting and eating good food for your wedding celebration. Make a simple ceremony up on a hill overlooking the lake. The Windy Point group camping site is available to rent through this link – https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232224?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22510447360&gbraid=0AAAAACzIa87WicdH0xMdUMN_kfJzxBfKt&gclid=Cj0KCQjw39zSBhDhARIsANammDsqFe_AeSJ8EO-zNoTG9lAXI-BZeStHVvdNu8npBSPprYEOvLkmI2kaAjwxEALw_wcB
Unique Vendors and Services
Making your elopement stand out and not look the same as anyone else is easy in Colorado. Colorado is home to so many artists, we have a thriving community is each and every area of people who make their living through art. I think hiring local artisans, vendors and special services is a really cool way to make your elopement even more unique and unforgettable. You can hire these local vendors to step up your day even father.
A massage therapist (or 2).
A local Fly Fishing guide.
A 4 wheeling guide/driver.
A helicopter tour of your favorite area (cheaper than you think!)
A local florist to make your bouquet from local wildflowers.
A private chef.
All of these are local vendors I can hook you up with. I have a comprehensive list of local-only vendors that can add really cool touches to your day. Here is a link to another blog post all about my favorite unique vendors –https://jandjstudioco.com/6-colorado-vendors-you-never-thought-of/.
Personalized Elopement Experiences
As a Colorado Elopement Photographer, my role involves so much more than just simply taking photos. I am a location scout, a foodie with all the recs. I am an avid camper and hiker, and notorious over-preparer. I am an obsessive planner and researcher. I am also a fun, caring, grounded human who loves creating unique elopement days for my clients. I want to get to know you 2 and what makes you tick, then I’ll take that info and find the perfect plan, hour by hour of how we will pull off YOUR ultimate elopement day.
I want to thrown out the rules and challenge the norm of that is done in weddings and elopements. I love to use the landscape to explore more ways of connecting with other humans. So lets say ‘fuck right off’ to the traditional values and create our own.
